by Xinhua writers Habtamu Worku, Liu Fangqiang

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- After learning about a planned mass wedding event in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, through social media, Henry Kinda and his fiancee Roth Kinda eagerly decided to participate in this "extraordinary experience."

Once their preparations were complete, the couple traveled from Mozambique to Ethiopia, joining over 1,000 couples for the grand wedding ceremony. The event, held Sunday, brought together partners from 43 African nations, including Ethiopia, showcasing a tapestry of cultures and traditions.

Dubbed the "Wedding of Thousands" and themed "Creating a Family is Akin to Building a Nation," the mass wedding featured activities and rituals deeply rooted in Ethiopian and African cultures, including blessings from elders.

The couples and their families, dressed in traditional attire, turned the ceremony into a colorful celebration of cultural diversity, reflecting the rich heritage of the countries represented by the newlyweds.

"This is the best thing that has ever happened to us. Seeing different cultures and meeting different people is an amazing experience. This is the best life experience you can have," Kinda said.

"It really feels like (a) home away from home for us. We love everything, including the powerful counseling and life skills training on marriage. We enjoyed every moment of this," he added, sentiments echoed by Roth. "We feel as though we are at home, surrounded by very kind people."

A standout moment of the ceremony was a special bread-cutting event, featuring a loaf weighing 2,017 kg, symbolizing the current year in the Ethiopian calendar.

Another couple, Semakone Melak and his wife Sozana Diress also tied the knot during the mass wedding. A year ago, they decided to begin their married life together, originally planning their wedding for next month in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia's Amhara region.

"The idea of participating in a mass wedding was intriguing for both of us. It offered a unique opportunity to celebrate our union alongside so many couples from diverse backgrounds. This experience is entirely different from what we had envisioned for our wedding day, and we are truly delighted to be part of it," Melak said.

A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a vital aspect of wedding celebrations in many Ethiopian cultures, was a key highlight of the event, with 12,000 cups of coffee served.

Ahead of the mass wedding, Ethiopia's Ministry of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with its partners, provided life skills training to the brides and grooms, equipping them with tools for a successful and fulfilling married life.

Wishing the newlyweds a happy and prosperous future, Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Sports Shewit Shanka encouraged them to embrace the "noble duty" of building healthy and productive families as a cornerstone of a secure and thriving society. She said that marriage is a foundational institution, where families are formed and generations are succeeded.

The minister also noted that the event allowed couples from across Ethiopia and Africa to showcase and share their traditional wedding rituals, social lives and cultural values, highlighting the beauty of diversity and unity.

According to the organizers, the mass wedding aimed to reduce the cost of wedding ceremonies for young couples while preserving various cultural and traditional practices.

Mohamed Gendicho and his wife Elsa Hussein, from Ethiopia's Central region, were among the many couples celebrating their union at the event.

"We were absolutely thrilled when we first heard about the mass wedding. Initially, we had decided against hosting a wedding ceremony for various reasons. Now, here we are, part of this extraordinary celebration we never could have imagined," Gendicho said. Enditem

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